Uber is one of the most popular means of getting from one destination to another in a city. It has taken the world by storm and has edged out traditional taxi cabs as a cheaper and more convenient option. However, with so many rideshare vehicles now on the roads, it is only natural that more accidents occur.
If you were unfortunate enough to have been hit by an Uber, it is important to know who pays the resulting bills.
Unique Challenges of Rideshare Services
Unfortunately, there are certain unique challenges that come with rideshare services like Uber. First, Uber drivers are not considered employees of the company. Instead, they are considered independent contractors, which means it can be complex when trying to establish liability if you are hit by an Uber vehicle.
Second, Uber carries a sizable liability insurance policy if its drivers get into accidents. At the same time, whether you are entitled to a settlement depends on the situation involving the driver who hit you.
For instance, the driver must actually be on duty at the time of the accident under Ubers terms. If he was off duty at the time of the crash, you may not settle the case with Uber but could hold the driver liable instead.
About Uber Insurance Policy
Uber has an insurance policy of $1 million thats meant to cover personal injuries and property damage when an Uber driver gets into an accident. If the driver is found to be at fault for the crash, the injured party can claim damages as long as the driver was actually working.
There are four different periods that determine the drivers status. They include the following:
- The app is off: If the driver has the Uber app turned off and is not accepting rides, it means theyre off duty. If an accident occurs during that period, you would have to rely on the drivers personal auto insurance policy to recover damages. In New Orleans, the minimum policy would be $15,000 per person, with $30,000 for personal injury and $25,000 for property damage.
- The app is on: When the driver has the app open but hasnt accepted a ride, the drivers own insurance would still apply if they had an accident.
- Driver is en-route to pick up a passenger: Ubers insurance policy covers accidents caused by the driver in this situation.
- Driver is transporting a passenger: Again, in this scenario, Ubers insurance policy applies if the driver is at fault for an accident.
While the Uber insurance policy is $1 million, a liability of $50,000 per person applies with a maximum of $100,000. Property damage coverage is up to $25,000.
Uber May Want to Investigate Your Injuries
It is not uncommon for Uber to want to investigate your injuries after youve been involved in an accident with one of its drivers. Its important to ask for an experienced attorney like this New Orleans car accident lawyer to do the talking for you as insurance companies usually want nothing more than to pay the legally mandated minimum for your injuries and other damages.
An attorney can be integral in protecting your rights and ensuring that your best interests are considered while fighting to get you fair compensation. An attorney can also do a little investigating of their own if possible and ensure that all the evidence is in place to get you the compensation youre due in your case. So, dont try to fight Uber alone.
Michelle Eddy is a staunch consumer advocate, fresh libertarian convert, and proud mother of three. Besides her legal career, she enjoys blogging about topics related to her expertise and life experiences, like parenting, child development, education, and law. In her writings, Michelle places emphasis on helping people to fight for their rights. She also works as a collaborative editor for Laborde Earles Law Firm. Her favorite quote is: Sir, we are outnumbered 10 to 1″. “Then, it is a fair fight”.
